Archbishop Kaziimba Returns from GAFCON G26 in Nigeria and ARDF Meetings in Egypt

NAMIREMBE –  The Archbishop of Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has returned to Uganda after undertaking official international duties in Abuja, Nigeria, and Cairo, Egypt.

In Abuja, Archbishop Kaziimba participated in the Global Anglican Future Conference G26 (GAFCON), where he led a delegation of 52 representatives from the Church of Uganda. The delegation included 41 Bishops, 6 Clergy, and 5 Laity.

The Conference, held from March 3–6, 2026 and hosted by the Anglican Church of Nigeria, brought together 347 Anglican Bishops and 121 lay and clerical leaders from 27 Provinces across the global Anglican movement.

During the gathering, GAFCON leaders highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen orthodox Anglican identity and governance. The fellowship, originally formed within the Anglican Communion, is now playing a leading role in what participants described as a “reordering” of the Communion’s global structures.

As part of these developments, the GAFCON Primates Council has been replaced by the newly established Global Anglican Council. The council will comprise Primates, Advisors, and Guarantors as voting members and will oversee the recognition of provinces and dioceses participating in the emerging Global Anglican Communion.

Delegates welcomed the election of Archbishop Laurent Mbanda of Rwanda as Chair of the Global Anglican Council, Archbishop Miguel Uchôa of Brazil as Deputy Chair, and Bishop Paul Donison as General Secretary. The Council will also guide the implementation of the Jerusalem Declaration and work to safeguard and strengthen the faith and mission of Global Anglicans.

While in Abuja, Nigeria, Archbishop Kaziimba, Church of Uganda Bishops and the leadership of Church Commissioners Holding Company Ltd held a strategic meeting with Mr. John Kamya, Chairman of Hamilton Telecom, and Board Advisor Mr. Tshepo Kgadima to explore prospective investment opportunities for the Church in the telecommunications sector.

Discussions focused on strengthening the Church’s partnership with Hamilton Telecom the parent company of PaxTel, Church of Uganda’s telecommunications partner. The meeting examined potential areas of collaboration and investment aimed at expanding digital connectivity and creating sustainable revenue streams to support the Church’s mission and development programs.

Following the end of the Conference in Nigeria, Archbishop Kaziimba traveled to Cairo to attend the Global Council meeting of the Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF), where he serves as a Trustee and Member.

During the meeting, he commended ARDF for its continued support to communities in Uganda through various humanitarian and development initiatives. In particular, he praised the fund’s contribution to emergency relief efforts in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement and support to Sebei Diocese following devastating flash floods that caused loss of lives and displacement in the region last year.

The Archbishop also highlighted ARDF’s role in facilitating the construction of a health facility in Sebei Diocese to address the growing cases of female genital mutilation in the area.

He further disclosed that ARDF has committed funding toward the construction of the Maama Margaret Kaziimba Hospital in Mukono Diocese, with the first facility expected to be commissioned later this year.

Archbishop Kaziimba explained that the hospital project was inspired by a deeply personal experience.

“We decided to build a hospital in memory of our first child who was a girl that lived for only about five minutes. When my wife Margaret was pregnant with our first child, she walked long miles to get maternity services, and by the time she reached the health facility, the baby was tired and died shortly after birth,” he said.

He added that the hospital will contribute significantly to reducing maternal mortality in Uganda by improving access to maternal and child health services.

During the ARDF Global Council meeting, Rt Rev Dr Richard Condie, the Bishop of Tasmania in Australia was elected to chair the global council.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Kaziimba is expected to travel to Rukungiri in the North Kigezi Diocese on Friday for his farewell pastoral visit. During the visit, he will preside over celebrations marking three years of episcopal ministry of Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe on Sunday, 15th March 2026 at Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano.